The Prius has generated a significant majority of hybrid sales for Toyota over the past 15 years. Toyota notes that Prius sales represented 65.8% of global hybrid sales with 2.63 million units distributed from Japan to Europe. Sales figures across the Prius name including the Prius Aqua, PHV and v accounted for about 72% of hybrid sales. The standard Prius sold more units outside of Japan (56%) than in Japanese markets (44%) while newer models were sold more heavily in Japan. Toyota noted that the Camry Hybrid (269,000 units) and the Rx 400h (238,600 units) followed the Prius with more than 90% of these models sold outside of Japan.

The future of hybrid sales for Toyota depends largely on how the automaker branches out from the Prius and Camry. The company’s fleet of 18 hybrid vehicles covers a broad spectrum of makes from coupes to SUVs. Toyota has announced plans for a hybrid version of the Yaris in Europe over the next few years. The Lexus ES 300h slated for the United States is aimed squarely at well-heeled consumers interested in higher fuel economy. The centerpiece for Toyota’s global strategy remains the Prius though consumers might look for more imaginative offerings over the next decade.

Toyota Motors touted the environmental impacts of selling four million hybrids since 1997 within their press release. The automaker estimates that displacement of traditional models led to a reduction of 26 million tons of carbon dioxide emissions. Consumers who have purchased the Prius, Camry Hybrid and other models enjoy lower fuel costs thanks to significant increases in fuel economy. Toyota should be impressed by its leadership role in the hybrid vehicle market but consumers should be frustrated that other automakers have been slow to the queue.

States are essentially divided into three categories within A Roadmap to Climate-Friendly Cars. The 36 states where hybrid vehicles produce fewer emissions than EVs use coal or natural gas for most of their electrical generation. A group of nine states including New York, Illinois and California produce enough clean energy that some EVs produce fewer emissions than hybrids. Climate Central found that Washington, Oregon, Idaho, New Hampshire and Vermont produce sufficient green energy that EVs outperform hybrid vehicles.

Climate Central also looked at hybrids in terms of how they performed against the all-electric Nissan LEAF and gas-electric Chevy Volt throughout the country. The Toyota Prius was the leading hybrid by producing less greenhouse gas emissions than the LEAF in 36 states and the Volt in 45 states. The Honda Civic Hybrid was a distant second by surpassing the LEAF in only 24 states and the Volt in 38 states. A close third goes to the Lexus CT 200h, which emitted less than the LEAF in 22 states and the Volt in 37 states.

A Roadmap to Climate-Friendly Cars concludes not by indicting EV technology but utilities for failing to reduce emissions in power generation. The Nissan LEAF produces an average of 0.9 pounds per mile of emissions in states like Wyoming and Indiana where more than 90% of electricity is produced using coal. This average compares to 0.5 pounds per mile for the Toyota Prius. States including Rhode Island and Nevada that use natural gas for electrical generation lead to greater parity with the LEAF reducing emissions to 0.6 pounds per mile. The clear winner based on Climate Central’s methodology is nuclear power with the LEAF only producing an average of 0.1 pounds per mile in Idaho and Washington. The politics surrounding nuclear energy make a move toward nuclear unlikely but A Roadmap to Climate-Friendly Cars points to the urgent need for cleaner energy transmission.

The ES 300h features a 2.5-liter gas engine as well as a beltless motor that increase fuel economy compared to other Lexus models. Lexus estimates that the ES 300h can reach a fuel economy rating of 40 miles per gallon based on road testing. The Lexus Hybrid Drive achieves lowered emissions by significantly reducing fuel evaporation and incorporating Variable Valve Timing. An advanced power management system allows the battery, motor and engine to function at peak efficiency.

Four driving modes allow ES 300h owners to customize their commuting experiences with each trip. Traditionalists can squeeze maximum power out of the drive system by activating the Sport mode. The default Normal mode balances power output from the engine and motor to combine fuel economy with power. Commuters concerned about fuel economy during long trips can activate the Eco mode with the touch of a button. Lexus highlighted the EV mode at the show, which allows a driver to travel on all-electric power across short distances at low speeds.

Lexus included new safety features like the Blind Spot Monitor and Pre-Collision System to keep hybrid owners safe during their commutes. The Blind Spot Monitor uses sensors to warn the driver about vehicles in the rear blind spots. The Pre-Collision System utilizes radar to map out hydrants, posts and other vehicles well ahead of potential collisions. The Available Lane Departure Alert works with the headlights to automatically dim high beams when oncoming traffic is detected. Lexus also provides a one-year subscription to Lexus Safety Connect with purchase. This service allows drivers to access roadside assistance, emergency services and local police through a dashboard interface.

Toyota announced last week that the Lexus CT 200h luxury hybrid will be released in the first quarter of 2011. The CT 200h incorporates innovative drive options and eco-friendly components to stay in line with Toyota offerings like the Prius. The highlight of this announcement was the projected 42 miles per gallon rating offered by Toyota. This latest Lexus model will fit well into the European market thanks to significant reductions in nitrogen oxide compared to other sedans.

The Lexus CT 200h features a 1.8-liter, 73 kW gas engine, a NiMH battery pack and a 60kWh electric motor. Toyota is incorporating its Ultra-Low Noise, Vibration and Harshness (NVH) engine design to reduce noise pollution. The typical starter motor is swapped out in favor of a generator and Power Control Unit designed to start the engine electronically. Drivers will be able to reduce wasted energy with heating and air conditioning controlled for each quadrant in the cockpit. The exhaust heat recirculation system uses stored heat to get engines up to operating temperatures quickly in winter.

The drive system in the Lexus CT 200h can operate in several modes depending on driving demands. The CT 200h runs entirely on battery power at startup as well as low speeds. The engine shuts down entirely during full stops with the generator restarting the engine when the light turns green. Drivers traveling at moderate speeds benefit from electric motors and engines working in unison. Toyota also notes that this hybrid can utilize all of its power when the SPORT mode is activated.

Toyota took great care to incorporate green elements throughout the Lexus CT 200h. The front, rear and backup lights use LED bulbs to reduce electrical demands. The sound system in the CT 200h uses speakers made from bamboo resin and fibers. Toyota is also ensuring that bumpers and interior elements of this Lexus model can be recycled rather than being dropped in city dumps.

This latest development for Toyota brings up some mixed reactions for green vehicle fans. The CT 200h’s projected fuel mileage is good for a Lexus but is slight based on Toyota’s hybrid history. Toyota may be able to corner the luxury hybrid market for now but its efforts may be better spent in attracting value-minded consumers. The Lexus CT 200h looks good and includes great features but Toyota needs to push the envelope to compete with the rest of the market.

An oft-discussed element of the hybrid vehicle market is the problem of affordable pricing. Automakers have struggled to keep hybrid vehicle prices in line with traditional retail prices. This challenge has been taken up by Ford subsidiary Lincoln as it prepares to release the 2011 MKZ Hybrid. Lincoln representatives have stated that the 2011 MKZ Hybrid will be priced the same as the traditional MKZ sedan. This price parity would make Lincoln the first auto brand to not add a premium to its hybrid vehicles.

The 2011 MKZ and the MKZ Hybrid will be priced from $35,180 when they hit showrooms this fall. Lincoln has compared this price parity with the price premium charged on the 2011 Lexus HS 250h. This luxury sedan will be priced from $35,100 for the standard model and $37,870 for the hybrid. The comparison with the 2011 Lexus HS 250h is Lincoln’s way of attracting luxury-minded consumers interested in hybrid bargains.

We can look at other automakers to find that hybrids are often significantly more expensive than traditional vehicles. The 2010 Honda Civic featured an MSRP of $15,655 for the standard model and $23,800 for the hybrid model. The 2011 Toyota Camry will be priced from $19,595 while its hybrid counterpart has an MSRP of $26,400. Lincoln’s parent company Ford has its share of problems with price parity. The 2010 Ford Escape Hybrid started at $29,860 while the standard Ford Escape was priced from $21,020.

The price parity issue would be meaningless if the 2011 Lincoln MKZ Hybrid was not a substantial upgrade over previous models. This hybrid sedan is powered by a 2.5-liter I-4 hybrid engine that could be used in other Ford and Lincoln models. The Lincoln hybrid system uses electrical power at speeds up to 47 miles per hour to reduce fuel consumption. The 2011 MKZ Hybrid has a fuel mileage rating of 41 miles per gallon, a slight improvement over the HS 250H’s 32 miles per gallon rating.

Lincoln’s move to equalize hybrid and standard vehicle pricing is beneficial for a few reasons. Price parity will show consumers that there need not be financial barriers to buying a luxurious hybrid. This move by Lincoln also puts the brand at the lead of a consumer-friendly approach to hybrid pricing. Ford demonstrates that it has refined production processes enough to pursue price parity with the upcoming MKZ Hybrid release without sacrificing profits.

The European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (ACEA) recently released a plan for EV charging uniformity within the next decade. This two-phase plan would set standards for EV infrastructure in terms of vehicle plug-in units as well as charging systems. The ACEA is pushing for widespread adoption of Mode 2 and Mode 3 EV connectors to accommodate current electrical grids throughout Europe. These EV connectors would allow for standard and expedited charging in the next generation of vehicles. At present, EV drivers around the world confront issues with different connectors including reduction of charge efficiency and increased safety concerns.

The first phase of this EV charging plan includes provisions for flexible vehicle inlets, public charging and home charging. All of the automakers agreed to include plugs with new EVs to handle Mode 2 (household charging) as well as Mode 3 (public charging). Charging system suppliers will be asked to include both types of electrical sockets in each unit to accommodate a majority of EV drivers. The ACEA also wants to certify that home charging units are safe by asking for certification by an independent party prior to regular use.

As the EV market develops by 2017, ACEA will initiate the second phase of its EV infrastructure plan. European automakers intend to move toward uniformity in EV charging systems, vehicle inlets and grid operations. This uniformity would start by mandating that all new EVs after 2017 only include Mode 3 vehicle inlets to reflect similar mandates for public and home charging. Both phases of the plan ensure that early adopters can find public charging for their units even as future EV owners access the next generation of charging systems.

The ACEA plan carries weight largely due to the organization’s roster of industry heavyweights. This industry organization includes leading automakers like Volkswagen, Volvo, Renault and Peugeot Citroen. While participation by utilities and suppliers is necessary, the ACEA serves enough consumers to force quick advancement in EV charging infrastructure. The two-phase infrastructure plan seems cumbersome at first blush but it is necessary to meet the needs of the first two generations of EV users. ACEA recognizes at once the need for a dynamic transportation system along with the uniformity necessary for safe use of electric vehicles.

Lexus has been trotting around a compact hybrid called the CT200h at the auto show circuit this year. The CT200h made its premiere at the 2010 Geneva Motor Show and will be featured at the upcoming 2010 New York International Auto Show. Far from a novel prototype, the Lexus CT200h is intended for introduction in the United States by fall 2011. Lexus has combined its Hybrid Drive Technology system with innovative drive modes and brake systems to create a fuel-efficient hybrid.

The Lexus Hybrid Drive system combines a 1.8-liter gas engine with an electric motor, generator and NIMH battery pack. The electronic continuously variable transmission (E-CVT) allows the CT200h to shift seamlessly from one gear to another without wasting fuel. Lexus built the electronic components so that they could fit in a small space next to the engine.

Lexus added four drive options so CT200h drivers can complement their driving tendencies. The Normal mode matches the performance of comparable Lexus models in terms of engine power and fuel consumption. Sports car enthusiasts flip to the Sports mode to increase engine output with a little help from the NIMH battery and generator. The Eco mode in the CT200h decreases power to air conditioning and other auxiliary systems to increase fuel economy. The CT200h can travel up to a mile on all-electric power at a speed of 28 miles per hour in the EV mode.

CT200h drivers will stay safe thanks to the myriad safety features built around the anti-lock brake system (ABS). Each set of brakes is monitored by an electronic brake distribution (EBD) system. The EBD system then adjusts brake pressure to handle inclement weather without slipping and sliding. The Brake Assist (BA) system used in the Lexus CT200h adds greater force to the brakes when the brake pedal is pushed to the floor. The Vehicle Stability Control (VSC) system connects with the EBD and ABS systems to adjust engine output and throttle control to handle the worst of road conditions.

We will learn more about the Lexus CT200h as the New York International Auto Show progresses. Based on the early previews of the model, Lexus has blended hybrid driving, safety and handling in an attractive package for consumers. The alphabet soup of safety and handling features in this hybrid model are designed to keep passengers safe while keeping an eye on fuel economy. The Lexus CT200h will help the automaker make headway in the luxury hybrid market starting in fall 2011.

Toyota luxury brand Lexus is falling into line with the parent company’s focus on greener vehicles with the 2010 LS600h hybrid sedan. The LS600h was introduced by Lexus back in 2006 but did not reflect Toyota’s advances in hybrid technology at the time. The 2010 model keeps the past model’s body design but a closer peek at this luxury vehicle reveals a world of changes.

The 2010 Lexus LS600h features a 5.0-liter V8 engine along with a 165kW electric motor to facilitate hybrid driving. The V8 engine does not skimp on the type of power familiar to Lexus drivers with a maximum output of 439 horsepower. The 0-60 MPH time of 6.3 seconds touted by Lexus representatives show that the LS600h packs a punch. Lexus also highlighted the low carbon dioxide emissions produced by the LS600h, which appeals to European consumers hemmed in by Euro V emission standards. We should not place the LS600h on par with the fuel-efficient Toyota Prius based on its projected 25 miles per gallon fuel rating. The LS600h is packed with energy-savings features that could mean greater fuel savings in future models.

The Lexus Hybrid Drive system’s Eco Mode plays around with gear shifts, ventilation and other energy drains to reduce fuel consumption. Lexus split apart the 20 battery units into front and rear compartments to free up more space for cargo in the rear seats and trunk. The LS600h features an air recirculation mode with its ventilation system to rely on air flow and low-energy cooling at temperatures above 68 degrees. This system balances an air blower with a traditional AC unit to reduce energy consumption in warmer climates.

Lexus also tweaked the acceleration and braking on the LS600h to create the best ride possible for its customers. The engine computer in the LS600h moderates acceleration and gear shifts automatically to keep fuel mileage steady. The LS600h features Brembo front-disc brakes and pads to remove the squeaks and groans of braking from day-to-day driving. Lexus and its parent company have turned the LS600h from a stylish sedan to the next step in the brand’s green-vehicle development.

According to the EDTA, 235,283 hybrid cars and trucks have been sold in the United States through September 2008. The leader in sales figures in the hybrid market is Toyota with the industry-leading Prius selling 130,561 in nine months. Toyota has also sold 39,418 Camry hybrids and 16, 572 Highlander hybrids during the same period.

Honda has leveled the most serious challenge to Toyota’s hybrid sales dominance with its Civic hybrid selling 27,597 units in 2008. Lexus has demonstrated that its high-end reputation could be translated to the hybrid market by selling 12,498 units of the 400h so far this year. In contrast, General Motors has only moved 7,096 of its hybrids thus far as its hybrid vehicle program is in its infancy.

Several factors play into the 2008 sales figures for hybrid cars and trucks. Every motorist looks at price when hunting for a fuel-efficient vehicle with overpriced newcomers scrutinized more heavily than established hybrids. The eighth-generation Prius retails for $21,500 while the 2009 GMC Tahoe hybrid has an MSRP of $44,190. The Lexus 400h is in its third model year and offers premium features for $43,480 MSRP, coming in short of the GMC Tahoe and just past the GMC Yukon hybrid ($41, 265).

The price tag is but one element of a consumer’s decision to buy a hybrid car. Automakers like Toyota and Honda have reputations for producing fuel-efficient vehicles while General Motors is seen as a culprit of the oversized SUV trend in the late 1990s. Toyota has a sizable Prius inventory that allows drivers to take advantage of federal tax credits for purchasing hybrid cars. The company has been able to reach the 60,000-vehicle mark needed to close out this tax credit the last two years. The final determinant in the purchase of a hybrid vehicle is performance. While Toyota, Honda and Lexus are working toward highly efficient vehicles, General Motors seems to be struggling to keep its old truck/SUV lines while improving fuel efficiency.